Free Kendall

Chapter 19

Chapter 19
Kendall's POV

What's going on here?

We all wake up on Ari's couch, tangled awkwardly together.
I think my head is in Eliza's lap, my knees on Hazel's and my feet hanging off the edge.

"Good morning gang," Ari's Dad says.
He is standing at their kitchen counter, a plate of french toast and the grill still out, making more.

I disentangle myself, and walk over.
I sit on the barstool and he passes a plate ad the syrup bottle.

"Thank you," I say as I grab a piece of toast and cut it up.
"Anytime," He replies.

Everyone else slowly awakens, trickling over to get some food and coffee.
"This is so good," Hazel murmurs, still half-asleep.
We all look exhausted and dead-inside.

"What's the plan for today?" Tate asks, unusually bubbly for this early.
"Videogames, lounge, everything fun for our second skip-day," Eliza replies.

Ari's dad shrugs.
"Why don't you guys go to school today? Do your weird pranks? I'll cover for you guys at home if you get caught."
Eliza and Ari both raise their eyebrows.

Apparently this was new to them too.

"Wait, I have the perfect idea," Rayssa says.
We all finish eating and Ari, Tate, Eliza and Rayssa all run upstairs  to Ari's room.
I sit there with the rest.

"What are they doing?" Hazel asks.
"Being fashionistas," Nik replies.
"This shall be interesting," Quinn says.
I nod.

A couple minutes later, we're called one by one up to Ari's room.
Everyone who is finished gets sent to Eliza's room and Ari's Dads, so nobody ruins the surprise.

"Kendall!" Tate calls, and I'm the last one to be sent up.
I walk in, and there are piles of clothes on the bed.

They all represent the transgender pride flag colours.
"What's going on?"

Ari emerges with Tate, and I force myself to keep a straight face.

Tate is wearing a black-and-white dress, with rainbow vans and a rainbow jacket.
And Ari looks beautiful.
They're wearing a pink beanie with a black pair of slacks, a white polo is donned by a jean jacket and purple vans.

"Y-you both look incredible," I say, stammering slightly.
"Thank you," Tate says. "Now Ari and I will pick out your outfit. What articles of clothing do you prefer?"

I point to the t-shirts and jeans, and jackets, and the two of them dig through the pile on the ground, before handing me some.

"Go pick the ones you want to wear the most and try them on," They say.
I go into the jack-and-jill bathroom, locking the doors and quickly pick out my outfit.

I choose a white t-shirt with a pale blue best over it, with pink jeans. I have a wooly white pair of knitted socks and blue vans.
Where did Ari and Eliza get all these clothes? It's crazy.

I walk back out and Ari's mouth forms a visible O

"Wow- Kendall," They say. "You look great."
I blush involuntarily.
"Won't this out me at school?"

Tate shakes her head.
"We all are wearing pride colours. Plus, your t-shots worked miraculously, so nobody should be shitty about those colours to you."

"Unless it's Alessio," Ari whispers, probably to themself.
"Is there something new regarding him?" Tate asks.
"No," Ari replies. "He was just messing around with Kendall and me last time we were at school."

Tate nods.
"That makes sense."

I watch Ari, not believing them in the slightest.

We all walk down and meet everyone.
They all look amazing.
Everyone is wearing the colours of their pride flag, including Eliza.

"Picture!" Ari's Dad calls. "Come on, I need this bonding moment."

I run over and swing an arm around Quinn's shoulder, who is wearing a yellow polo and a purple skirt, with purple crocs.
Ari wraps an arm around my waist, and we all smile for the camera.

"Cheese!"

***

All of us hop out of the van, and the first bell rings.

"Saints," Nik mutters. "It's always so loud."
"Sorry, Mr. Sensitive Hearing." Hazel teases, and we all walk into the school.

Barely anyone is here, but those who are just turn their conversations to a whisper and they all look at us curiously.

"They're staring," Rayssa whispers. 
"So much for flying under the radar," Diana whispers. She's rocking a pansexual pride dress.

I chuckle, and we all split up to go to first period.
I follow Ari to English, and they sit in front of me.

"Are you okay?" I ask.
They've been tense ever since we stopped at my locker.

Ari shrugs, lying.
"I'm fine."

I reach over and take their hand in mine. 
Ari's eyes widen slightly, and they tighten their fingers around mine.
The usual snark and grin is faded, as if hiding.

Alessio walks in, and the entire vulnerable look goes into a calm, scary facade.
He spots them, and Ari slides their hand out of mine.

They pull out A Court of Mist and Fury, pretending to be engrossed in the Fae romance.
Alessio walks over with a sneer on his face.

"I thought you'd be smart enough to understand what I meant, Clare," Alessio says. "Or should I say-" 
Ari knees him in his no-no square before he can say something.

"Shit!" He curses.

Ari stands to go walk out of the classroom again, deja vu from a few weeks before.
But Alessio wraps an arm around their waist, making Ari gasp.
My stomach lurches.

Alessio whispers something into Ari's ear and their whole body pales.
They mumble something I cannot hear, before they get released and walk out of the room.

I pick up Ari's stuff, and mine, leaving as well.
I glare at Alessio as I leave, and race off after Ari.